Maricopa Co. attorney: Migrant kids’ situation may break law

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery talks about the unattended migrant children dropped off in Arizona possibly violating child abuse laws.

PHOENIX — Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may be breaking the law by transporting migrant children and leaving them unattended all across the state.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery has sent a letter to ICE, calling for federal agency to end the practice, as agents may potentially be committing criminal acts.

“What I’m hoping to do is get this administration to stop until they can make sure that every single adult who they’re sending to a bus station with a minor is, in fact, that child’s parent or legal guardian,” Montgomery told News/Talk 92.3 KTAR’s Rob and Karie. “Even then, in those circumstances, (making sure) there’s access to food, water, shelter and a means to care for those children.”

He hopes to create an awareness among the federal administration that if this issue continues, they are violating laws against child abuse.

Montgomery said neither he nor his office would “hesitate to seek appropriate punishment” for what could potentially result in a class 4 felony.